Had's 'ph-ree!'

PINCH ME...Quick!!!
I must've fallen asleep or something...
because my baby CAN'T be three already?!?
Can She?
OH MY WORD...
SHE IS!!!
Had's 'ph-ree!'

It seems like only yesterday...
I was pregnant with her...

and we were celebrating Jas' 30th birthday...


It seems like only yesterday...
our little family of three was EAGERLY anticipating the arrival of baby #2
{gender was unknown}

{posing under our beloved apricot tree}.

It seems like only yesterday...
I had received my epidural and was anxiously awaiting our planned Cesarean

{that's right...I am such a planner that God knew I needed to deliver my babes Cesarean so that we could pick the day and time of their arrival}

However...what I was not 'planning' on was what our family and new baby would have to endure for her first month...

It seems like only yesterday...
that I was holding our baby girl for the first time...she was almost 12 hours old.

It seems like only yesterday...
that we were praying non-stop that our baby girl would make it and not endure any lasting complications from her rough start

It seems like only yesterday...
that we 'moved into' Children's Hospital and cozied -up for the next 4 weeks while we waited for God's healing to allow us to bring our baby girl home.It seems like only yesterday...
that I learned to the fullest extent what a patient, loving, steadfast and incredible father I had chosen as my husband.
{having already seen Jas as a dad to A,
I thought I had seen it all...I was wrong...
and while I can't describe it exactly...
I will say that he is who I drew my strength from during this difficult time and he remained the 'rock' of our family}

It seemed like only yesterday...
that A was meeting her little sister for the first time.

It seemed like only yesterday...
that I was staring at a oximeter for hours and hours upon end...
until I was sure I would go cross-eyed...

Had finally did!!!

It seems like only yesterday...
that we were FINALLY able to bring her home
{even if she did come complete with her very own a feeding tube-so not a big deal in hindsight}.

{Now here's where the REAL fun begins...}

Had's first set of pig tails!

And with the best view around...
on top of dad's shoulder's on our way to the fair.

Regardless of the 'rough' start that she had...
she has sure come a long way...
and there is not much that intimidates her.

Here is A and Had on the 'swings' at the fair...a first for both.
{should I mention that A is 5 and Had's only 2 here}

We sure do love a good birthday at this house...
it means that there is sure to be cupcakes in the oven.
She could barely stand the anticipation of waiting for the timer to go off...She kept saying,
'Momma...they're done.
My banana cupcakes are done.'

I think she stood there for the majority of the time they were baking.

After much consideration, Jas and I decided that Had would get the same 3rd birthday present that A got when she turned 3...
A BIG GIRL BED!!!

A phone call to Grandma Jill and Oobie a few days prior to Had's birthday, plans were made and we were on our way to Seattle to meet up with them to pick out some
"Big Girl Bedding."

There are a few tunnels on the way to Seattle and my girls
LOVE and ADORE
holding their breath as we go through each one.

Jas and the girls have a tradition each weekend morning of getting donuts...
this day would be no exception...
except that they would be some of the best donuts I have EVER eaten!!

Welcome to Top Pot Donuts!!
CHOICES...CHOICES...CHOICES!!!
She went with an old fashioned glazed...
her usual.

'Donut-Groupies'

Oobie talking Had out of a nibble of hers...
she is a VERY generous girl!

Oh!!! How I love this gorgeous girl!

After donuts, we headed to University Village,
an open air style mall that had me thinking for a quick moment that we were in California,
to try and tackle the task of finding Miss Had some sheets!

Where do you head to find a quality product that is easily coordinated and GORGEOUS to boot...
POTTERY BARN KIDS!!!
Had took this opportunity to catch up on a few calls she had missed while at donuts.

Grandma Jill and I had to use some MAJOR restraint to not buy out the entire store...
but we were successful in finding some adorable bedding that is 'girly' but not too 'girly.'
We don't do 'too girly.'

By the time we were done in there...
Had needed a quick breather.

Then it was off to the
Pottery Barn {for big kids}.
The girls kept themselves entertained by playing
Hide-N-Seek.

Foreseeing that
Hide-N-Seek in PB is a very dangerous sport...
we exited and went across the street to Barnes and Noble...
so that A could use a gift certificate that we'd be hanging onto for three years...
{have to say...I'm impressed that we didn't lose it in that time}

While A was trying to find a book that she liked,
and that I thought was appropriate for her,
Had took the time to get on stage and 'perform.'

The highlight of the store...
like all kids...
the escalator!!

From there...
it was time for lunch
(our sugar rush from the donuts was wearing off and we needed something a little more substantial)
MMmmmm...The Ram!
(recommendation: the next time you're there...indulge yourself in their
'deep-fried-pickle appetizer.)
You won't regret it!

Here Had is showing us just how big she is...
now that she's 3 and all.

I have yet to mention in this post just how much Had adores her Oobie Doobie...
and vice versa.
He is WILD about her!!!
These two were like two peas in a pod...
and to know each of their personalities...
this could prove to be a dangerous thing as she gets older.

Donuts-Check
Sheets-Check
Barnes and Noble-Check
Lunch-Check
...time to head home for dinner and cupcakes.

Had's intial request was for white cupcakes with white frosting...
until I suggested Banana Cupcakes...
and she chose strawberry frosting.

They were light and delicious...
and with banana's and strawberry's...
they were practically healthy..right?

Time for presents...
and of course,
A and our neighbor, Z were right on hand to help if Had needed it.

One of her favorites of the night...
a microphone that plays music and that she can sing into...

Here is a terrible picture of Had with her new sheets...
the girl was so wound up from such a busy day that she literally wouldn't hold still for 2 seconds so that I could get a good picture.

I'll be sure to get a better picture of Had, her sheets and her new bed
(as soon as I can find a free moment to get over to our dear friend, Auntie Kitty's house to get it).

As we went to bed Saturday night,
Jas and I were reminded that we are so Blessed to be able to spend such a wonderful day celebrating our spunky, enthusiastic, sweet-hearted (most of the time) little girl...
who had had such a rough entrance into this world.
We are humbled by the power of prayers,
the graciousness of our Lord,
the knowledge and compassion of the doctors at Children's,
and
the generosity of our friends and family.

***Sidenote...if you are able to, I would strongly reccomend making a donation to your nearest Children's Hospital...they do wonderful things for family's and regardless of how much you plan...there are sometimes unexpected emergencies in your life where you find yourself in need of such a place...and if you don't ever...count your blessings***

From P-Town to P-Town...and back

As mentioned a time or two before...
I am a 'self-acknowledged' planner.
I am not one of those gals that typically likes to do things at a moments notice.
I like to be prepared and ready for whatever the activity is.
So imagine my queasiness when situations arise so quick that I don't have time to mentally prepare for them.
Flash Back to Last Monday...
I knew that I wouldn't be watching our neighbor kiddo,
because his dad has Monday's off...
but I still planned on having the adult with disabilities that I care for.
By the time that he was 30 mins late...I was beginning to have my suspicions that he wouldn't be visiting us that day.
Alright Tinell...cut to the chase...
About a month ago,
A decided to put her newly acquired throwing skills to the test...
she did so by throwing a rock over the hedge in our back yard...
Wouldn't have been a big deal had Jas' commuter car,
the 'Cavino'
(I could do a post of the 'Cavino' all it's own...hmmm...maybe)
been parked in direct path of her rock.
AARRGGHHH!!!
Of course the closest window to replace it was at a junk yard a little over 2 hours away.
So no extra kiddos on Monday,
meant that the girls and I were road-trippin' to Portland.
After a few phone calls and a case of the cold-sweats because it was such a sporadic move...
we were on our way.
But first a pit-stop to our dear neighbor, Lacie's work to exchange cars.
Our truck=gas hog
Her Honda=a road tripper's dream

Here Had is looking a little tired...
but was a champ and loved being in 'Ya-cie's' car.
Had pretending to be asleep and A is 'all-smiles.'

About 40 minutes into the drive,
the girls discovered that they could reach their window controls.

...I was howling in the front seat,
but all I could think about was the 'tangles' that I would be faced with later.

After making a few phone calls and attempts to catch up with family who lives in Oregon...
we successfully got ahold of Lennox.
(reminder:Lennox used to work at 'our' Starbucks and transferred to a Portland store so that she could go to school at the Art Institute of Portland)
We were missing her and it was so great to spend some time playing at a park with her.

The girls did some swinging!!

P.S. This momma doesn't swing...
after having babies, it makes me nauseous to the core!
(Am I alone in this...or is this common?)

Had did some looking through some binoculars.
Aren't the trees above her gorgeous?!

Peek-A-Boo....
I SEE YOU!!!

Then came the fun game of
'Let's Steal Lennox's Hat.'
Lennox is such a great sport
and has the cutest sense of style.

Had took it upon herself to make sure the pigeon's would not rest for more than 2.4 seconds in the park...a good way to tire her out.
Thinking about getting a pigeon or two for our yard and clipping their wings...
that would help her exhaust some of her extra energy!

Oh and let us not forget the 'silly-mirrors.'

A few I am sure to get used to before too long...
Had behind bars.
Only kidding...this girl's quick enough and spunky enough...
she'll surely talk herself out of trouble...
just like her daddy

OK Lennox...let's test out your 'sparring' skills.

Had looking a little like a 'hamster in a wheel.'

So after about 2 hours at the park...
multiple trips to the 'potty'
and hugs good-bye,
we were back on the road and heading home.
Thanks to Lennox for showing us such a great time...
Thanks to Portland for being so easy to navigate around...
Thanks to Sprint/Samsung for having navigation on my phone making navigation even easier...

The girls were both asleep by the time we hit the bridge back into Washington.

The girls and I had a great road-trip and it was a good experience for me to step outside of 'my box' and 'fly by the seat of our pants.'
(Although, I am sure with just a little bit of planning it could have been a smidge better)!

Happy Weekend to You!!